Niko Seibold's Elfton Ensemble - Grow With The Flow (2024)

"The term ‘Northern European Jazz’ often conjures up images of open fjords accompanied by a spacious minimal soundscape alluding to the greatness of mountains and the insignificance of one’s existence. A humbling meditative introspection being the listeners emotional response. ‘Grow With The Flow’ evokes an evolutionary deeper reflection, encouraging the listener to imagine a world without borders, and inspires one to consider each individual’s responsibility in bringing border-less existence into fruition. A fine balance between quiet gentle pacing and a driving yet measured forward motion.

Niko’s writing seamlessly blends Hermetoesque and Turkish folkloric melodies, natural use of odd time grooves, delicate orchestration often with a nod to Mahavishnu Orchestra and the fiery sound of New York’s jazz scene. The rich tapestry of orchestrated layers, unpredictable ostinati and contrapuntal crossings is given spontaneous breath by Jérémie Krüttli (bass) and Paulo Almeida (drums) allowing each improvised section to fly, stratospherically.

An egoless composite of excellent musicians, fully present and invested. Every note heartfelt and altruistically meaningful. A universal expression of where we have come from and where we are heading. 'Grow With The Flow' is the true definition of ‘Modern Jazz’ in 2024."

Niko Seibold (compositions, arrangements and orchestrations, alto and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet)
Song Yi Jeon (vocals)
Anne-Lise Teruel (concert flute, alto flute, piccolo)
Simon Spiess (tenor sax, bass clarinet)
Fabian Willmann (tenor sax, bass clarinet)
Alexandre Zanetta (french horn)
Raphael Rossé (trombone, euphonium)
Òscar Latorre (trumpet)
Vincent Millioud (violin)
Baptiste van de Wiele (violin)
Güldeste Mamaç (viola)
Ambrosius Huber (violoncello)
Esther Sévérac (harp)
Fabio Gouvea (acustic and electric guitar)
Jim Hart (vibraphone, percussion)
Jérémie Krüttli (double and electric bass)
Paulo Almeida (drum set)

Tracklist
01. Rodère
02. While She Sleeps
03. Gonda Intro
04. Gonda
05. Tokyo Drifter
06. Gecho